Canada has officially designated the Bishnoi Gang, an India-based criminal organization, as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code. This decision, announced by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree on Monday, September 29, 2025, marks a significant escalation in Canada's efforts to combat transnational organized crime and protect its diaspora communities.
The Bishnoi Gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi, is a transnational criminal organization primarily operating out of India, with a growing presence in Canada, particularly in areas with significant diaspora communities. The gang is known for engaging in violent activities, including murder, shootings, and arson, and generating terror through extortion and intimidation. They create a climate of insecurity by targeting specific communities, their prominent members, businesses, and cultural figures.
The decision to list the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity was driven by the need to protect Canadian communities from violence and intimidation. Minister Anandasangaree stated that the listing provides law enforcement agencies with more powerful and effective tools to confront and stop the gang's crimes.
The terrorist designation under Canada's Criminal Code has several implications. It allows the government to freeze or seize any assets of the gang within the country, including property, vehicles, and money. It also makes it a criminal offense for anyone in Canada or abroad to knowingly deal with property owned or controlled by the gang or to provide property knowing it will be used by or benefit the group. Furthermore, immigration and border officials can use the listing to inform decisions on admissibility to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
The Bishnoi Gang has been linked to several high-profile crimes, including the 2022 murder of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala, repeated death threats against Bollywood star Salman Khan, and the murder of Mumbai-based politician Baba Siddique. In British Columbia, the gang has been linked to a surge of extortion and violence hitting Indian diaspora communities. In October 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) claimed the Bishnoi Gang was targeting members of the pro-Khalistan movement on Canadian soil, allegedly at the behest of the Indian government.
The designation of the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity comes amid heightened tensions between Canada and India. Last year, Canadian officials accused India of involvement in the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh activist, in Surrey, British Columbia. While New Delhi has rejected these claims, the incident has strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The move has been welcomed by organizations such as the World Sikh Organization, which stated that criminal activities are at an "unprecedented high" with countless businesses facing extortion and threats. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, as well as British Columbia Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, had previously called on the federal government to designate the gang as a terrorist organization.
The listing of the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity adds to the 87 other entities already listed under the Criminal Code. This action underscores Canada's commitment to combating terrorism and protecting its communities from transnational criminal organizations.
Some experts suggest that the influence of Khalistani sentiments in Canadian politics may have played a role in the timing and decision to designate the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity. The Khalistan movement, which seeks a separate Sikh homeland in India, has a history in Canada, and some believe that pro-Khalistani groups have gained political influence, particularly within the Liberal Party. However, the primary driver behind the designation of the Bishnoi gang remains its criminal activities and the threat it poses to the safety and security of Canadian communities.
